Political Mayhem Thursday: Meanwhile, in Europe....

We Americans tend to assume that we are the only place experiencing political crazy time, but that is far from true. If you have been following the news from England in the past month or so, you know that Brexit-- the UK's exit from the European Union-- has been a crazy hot mess.

For those following along at home, the UK voted by referendum to exit the EU. The hope within the UK was to negotiate an agreement where they could keep some of the good parts of the Union while pulling out. A key sticking point was the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which was open so long as both were in the EU, with great advantages to a lasting peace there.

UK Prime Minister Teresa May, a Tory, negotiated what she thought was the best deal she could get. However, the Parliament rejected it overwhelmingly. Now the EU is pretty much shrugging and saying "that's the best deal you're going to get." If the UK exits the EU without a deal, things get... messy. Like, planes not being able to land in London anymore messy.

According to the Financial Times, here are some of the key events coming up in the Brexit debacle:

Early February: May goes back to the EU seeking a new deal.

Feb. 13: May updates the House of Commons on any progress.

Late February: Perhaps a vote on a new deal or the one already rejected.

March 29: "Brexit Day"-- this is when the UK leaves the EU, barring an extension.

In other words, things are going to get really interesting over in London over the next few months...

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